Widow’s Bay – Review | Apple TV Series

WIDOW’S BAY on Apple TV is a horror series with lots of quirky comedy, lore, and sci-fi elements. I really enjoyed it, but I suspect not everyone will. With ten episodes, we get a very character-driven storyline that grew on me, along with the extremely weird and eerie vibe. Full Widow’s Bay season 1 review here!

WIDOW’S BAY is an Apple TV series. It’s a true genre hybrid, but fans of horror should be pleased with this. It’s a folk horror storyline combined with some sci-fi elements, but isn’t most horror as the “lore” is usually something out of this world?

Also, it’s a horror-comedy, but more due to its deliciously quirky characters than anything else. I was hooked from the very first episode, but still found that this Apple TV horror series grew on me. So much so that when I’d watched all ten episodes of season 1 for this review, I found myself wanting more. Now!

Continue reading our Widow’s Bay season 1 review below. Find the first two episodes on Apple TV on April 29, 2026.

Welcome to the next Martha’s Vineyard

Welcome to Widow’s Bay, a wonderful little island town with a mayor who dreams of making it a tourist attraction. His hope is that Widow’s Bay could be the next Martha’s Vineyard and ensure both jobs and prosperity for everyone living there.

The quaint island town is located just 40 miles off the coast of New England, and it has plenty going for it in terms of island charm. There’s just one problem: It’s cursed!

Something sinister lurks beneath the surface, and there are plenty of stories to keep the islanders in check. Of course, Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) doesn’t buy into any of that superstition. He wasn’t born on the island, which is probably why it hasn’t gotten under his skin.

Yet.

In Widow’s Bay, Tom Loftis is getting desperate as the community is struggling. Currently, there is no Wi-Fi on the island, and the cellular reception is spotty – to put it mildly. As a result, he needs to sell the idea of tranquility to tourists, which doesn’t gel with the superstitious locals, who believe their island is cursed.

Delicious Horror meets Character-Driven Comedy

While the Mayor dreams of tourists flocking to the island, the locals fear it. They feel he is soft and cowardly, while he sees them as superstitious fools standing in the way of prosperity. Miraculously, Tom Loftis succeeds in attracting tourists.

Unfortunately, the locals were right, and the horror long-rumored to lurk beneath the surface starts again.

As someone who loves a good horror-comedy hybrid, I expected Widow’s Bay to be my jam. After the first teaser trailer, I figured it would go much harder in the horror area than I initially expected. And it does. If you’re a horror fan, this Apple TV show delivers. If you’re not, you’ll want to keep a pillow nearby!

Also, I love a good character-driven storyline (something South Korean productions often excel at, regardless of genre), and Widow’s Bay delivers on this in spades. What I especially enjoyed was how the comedy was so character-driven.

You’ll experience second-hand embarrassment, laugh out loud a few times, and should also get emotional and even angry at times. Oh yes, Widow’s Bay will drag you around in your emotions, and surprise you quite often. It’s wonderful!

I could not get enough of this cast

Emmy Award winner Matthew Rhys is the star of Widow’s Bay (and serves as executive producer). Having most recently enjoyed him in The Beast in Me, I was more than ready to see him portray yet another type of character in this Apple TV series.

He delivers a wonderful portrayal of someone who wants to succeed, but won’t listen to reason or knowledge. Until it’s too late. The supporting cast only makes Matthew Rhys even better (and vice versa), with the comedic elements coming from a few characters in particular.

My personal favorites in that area were portrayed by Kate O’Flynn (Landscapers) as Patricia, Dale Dickey (The G) as Rosemary, and Stephen Root as Wyck. All are locals working with (and often also against) Tom.

In other key roles, you can look forward to Kingston Rumi Southwick (Presumed Innocent), Kevin Carroll (Bloodline), and the amazing K Callan (Sew Torn). 

I just could not get enough of this cast. No matter how big or small a role, they delivered pure gold to either the horror or comedy parts of Widow’s Bay.

Start watching Widow’s Bay on Apple TV

Widow’s Bay comes from creator and executive producer Katie Dippold, who previously wrote Ghostbusters and The Heat. I’ve enjoyed her comedy, but am very happy to say that I also love her horror on this new series, which she is the showrunner of!

Director and executive producer Hiro Murai helped bring this series to life, directing five episodes in Season 1. Directing the remaining five episodes are Ti West (MaXXXine), Sam Donovan (Down Cemetery Road), and Andrew DeYoung (The Chair Company).

This new 10-episode horror-comedy series will premiere with its first two episodes. After that, you’ll get one weekly episode each Wednesday – except on May 27, where you’ll get a special two-episode release – and then the season 1 finale coming on June 17, 2026.

Trust me, as soon as you’ve watched that final season 1 episode on Apple TV, you’ll be ready for more. I know I was!

Widow’s Bay premieres on Apple TV on April 29, 2026.

Details

Creator: Katie Dippold
Directors: Hiro Murai, Ti West, Sam Donovan, Andrew DeYoung
Cast: Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, Jeff Hiller, K Callan, Mike Malvesti, Nancy Lenehan, Beck Nolan, Olli Haaskivi, Kylie McNeill, Charles Flaherty, Lauren Bittner